For those who are eagerly awaiting the release of XBLA video game Pirates Vs Ninjas Dodgeball, we regret to inform you that publisher Gamecock has decided to push the release until spring 2008. To compensate, a few new screenshots were released. The full article and the images await after the jump!

In a dodgeball match between Ninjas and Pirates, who would win? While this blogger would be partial to Ninjas and their mad skills, it's kind of hard to say because Pirates are so cool. Thankfully, Gamecock and Blazing Lizard have taken it upon themselves to solve this argument with Pirates Vs. Ninjas Dodgeball (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii).

Want to see the first trailer of the game? Head on over to the full article.

Blazing Lizard's Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball will be heading to the Xbox Live Arcade early next year, courtesy of Gamecock. This game will look to settle the long-running feud between ninjas and pirates once and for all. Here's what Chris Stockman, Studio Director of Blazing Lizard, has to say about the game:

"It is no secret that Pirates and Ninjas have beef. But it turns out both have a great love for dodgeball and unique skills when it comes to playing the game. We are bringing together sworn enemies for what I can guarantee will be explosive dodgeball action.

Players will be able to choose from five teams then blow the opposition to oblivion in an explosive game of dodgeball. Of course, two of the teams are the ninjas and the pirates.

The latest team to be revealed is the zombie team, composed of undead cheerleader Clarice Lennett, the 72-year-old  Ol' Ben Greazer and his faithful zombie dog Chester, the bone-throwing skeleton Forrest "Bones" MacAroy, and Jaws McGee, the jawless wonder who's really good at digging holes. You can check out images of the zombie team below. Hit the Read link for more info.

   

Reacting to the company's revenue forecasts being lowered for the fiscal year, THQ CEO Brian Farrell has announced that the studio will be taking steps to address the situation. THQ's estimates for their fiscal year was recently lowered due to the lack of performance of their games.

Farrell explains that the company will be taking steps to ensure that the under-performance of Stuntman: Ignition (PS2, PS3, 360) and Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights (PS3, PS2, PSP, Xbox 360, PC, DS) won't be repeated, saying that the incident is "not acceptable."

Farrell also goes on to explain the status of some of their games. The Xbox 360 and PC versions of Frontlines: Fuel of War are expected to ship on time, but the PlayStation 3 version will be delayed due to problems with the Unreal Engine. As for their game de Blob, Farrell explains that the delay was to give the game the "final level of polish" to make it "look more like a Nintendo-level Wii product."

Farrell also commented on the status of Saints Row 2 (PS3, Xbox 360), explaining that the departure of some of their lead design members (who formed the Blazing Lizard studio) will not affect the game. He states that "we haven't lost any key development talent. We have a tremendous studio there with a lot of talent."

Even though the target platform list for Blazing Lizard's new downloadable game is still vague, Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball is fast becoming a need-to-try game in this blogger's book.

The indie game developer created by a trio from THQ's Volition studios (Red Faction series, Saints Row, Descent: FreeSpace series) have released yet another set of screenshots, because they probably know we just can't get enough.

Don't hurt yourself trying to look close enough though, because we already checked; Blazing Lizard hasn't plastered any hints on the three additional character types. So all you'll see here are Samurais and Cutlasses, until Chuck Norris rolls his dice with a combat knife. Well, not that he would need one.

Now only if Blazing Lizards would get to making a successor to the Descent: FreeSpace series...

   

 

Game developer Blazing Lizard has sent out a press wire earlier for an upcoming game series they've got planned, titled Pirates Versus Ninjas. Yes, dear readers, you heard that right - the epic net meme debating two of the greatest fighters in history (evar!) will soon be making its way to your consoles.

The first game in the series is Pirates versus Ninjas Dodgeball, and will reportedly allow up to eight players to choose one of three characters: Pirates, Ninjas, and three yet-to-be announced classes.

Each character is expected to carry their own special abilities and moves, with the game to include six free-roaming stages. Three game modes have been announced so far, including Exhibition, Story (wait, there's a story to this?), and Challenge mode, with support for 4 players Local / 8 players Online, and 4-player Co-op modes.

"This is the ultimate in rivalries, and we aim to have them settle it with all out balls to the wall action," said Blazing Lizard Studio Director Chris Stockman regarding the announcement. Pirates versus Ninjas: Dodgeball is expected to land during the first quarter of 2008 as a downloadable, although Blazing Lizard has yet to say which console will be receiving it.

And while the devs have yet to say what other three characters are expected appear, we'd love to hear from you guys - what other classes do you think will be making an appearance? This writer's personal candidates include cowboys, samurai, zombies, cyborgs, Chuck Norris, and Ben Stiller. Make sure to check out the accompanying screenshots we've also picked up while you're here. Enjoy!